My criticism was to help Umno improve, says Tengku Zafrul

Tengku Zafrul Aziz says he wants Umno to remain relevant and continue to work with the unity government at the federal level. (Bernama pic)

HULU SELANGOR: Tengku Zafrul Aziz has defended his recent broadside of Selangor Umno, saying the criticisms are aimed at helping the state chapter revive its fortunes.

“I want Umno to remain relevant and continue to work with the unity government at the federal level. We need to be cohesive,” the Umno Supreme Council member said.

Tengku Zafrul, who is also the investment, trade and industry minister, was speaking to reporters after attending a groundbreaking ceremony in Serendah here today.

Earlier this month, he claimed Selangor Umno had not done enough to revive itself after a poor showing in the 2022 general election which saw the party win only two of the 12 seats it contested.

He claimed that no in-depth post-mortem has been carried out and no new strategy drawn up to win voters over despite eight months having passed.

His dissatisfaction with the lukewarm response to the party’s electoral performance saw him resign as the Selangor Umno treasurer.

Selangor Umno information chief Zaidi Zain later slammed Tengku Zafrul saying his criticism was made with the ulterior motive of casting the leadership of state chairman Megat Zulkarnain Omardin and the party in bad light.

Tengku Zafrul, who remains the Kota Raja Umno chief, insisted that he remains loyal to the party.

“But Selangor Umno must have the same attitude as the unity government at the federal level.

“What is carried out in Putrajaya, must be emulated in Selangor,” he said, likely alluding to his past criticism that Selangor Umno was lacklustre in executing plans drawn up at the federal level.